Amit 10-ball champ again

RUBILEN Amit jumps into the arms of England’s Kelly Fisher after winning the World Women’s 10-Ball title at Resorts World Manila. ROMY HOMILLADA

Rubilen Amit freed herself from the burden of expectation, simply focused on getting better and was rewarded last night with the World Women’s 10-Ball Championship.

The Cebuana nipped Kelly Fisher of England, 10-7, in a pulsating final and became the tournament’s first two-time champion to the delight of the crowd that gathered at the Atrium area of Resorts World Manila.

Amit, also the 2009 winner, fought back from two racks down twice in a final where both players struggled with nerves, clinching the crown by sinking a near-rail cut on the 10-ball in the 17th rack.

With Amit on the hill, Fisher finally crumbled, missing a cut on the black 8 ball and leaving the table open for the Filipino, who calmly sank the three remaining balls.

Amit hardly took risks with her shot and was on the end of a few lucky breaks, including one in the 12th rack when Fisher missed and left the 10 close to the corner pocket.

“I’m in heaven,” said Amit, who pocketed $21,000 (about P909,000) for her triumph.

“This is a wonderful win because I didn’t expect this. But I prepared hard. I surrendered my game to God and left it to Him if He wanted me to win.”

Unlike Fisher who made quick work of China’s Han Yu, 8-2, in the semifinals, Amit got the benefit of a one-hour break after a come-from-behind 8-6 win over Tsai Pei-chen of Chinese Taipei in the other Last 4 duel.

Amit won the lag, but she fouled on her break, allowing Fisher to clean up the rack. Fisher sustained her fine start, nailing a 3-10 combination for a 2-0 lead.

Staring at the possibility of going three racks down, Amit delivered one of the shots of the championship, going on a long two-rail kick to pocket the 9-ball and finally get on the board.

The Filipino won three straight racks after going 1-3 down, but a scratch on the 10-ball in the eighth rack swung the momentum back to Fisher, who won the next three for a 6-4 lead.

Amit again found her rhythm after a foul by Fisher while shooting the orange 5 in the 11th rack. She booked two more wins for a 7-6 lead, but Fisher tied the game in the next frame, pouncing on a miss by Amit on the blue-2.

“It (the final) wasn’t perfect and I just kept working on my game as the match went on,” said Amit. “I felt a lot of pressure but the crowd has been so nice. They gave me plenty of confidence. I feel so blessed.”